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Post by jxr on Jul 30, 2006 8:59:23 GMT -5
I have recently been browsing The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force by Rodney Stark (you can see it here: www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060677015/sr=8-1/qid=1154266565/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4984314-6000121?ie=UTF8) I find it Interesting to see his estimates on how the Christian population developed over time. If you look at page 7 (table 1.1), you can see a table showing population estimate versus time elapsed. If the F&W sect follows a similar growth curve, at approximately 110 years old, the population would stand at somewhere between 7500 and 40,000. Interpolating the exponential curve by gut-feel would indicate an expected population of, say 10,000. This figure would seem a little low to me. I also find it interesting to observe that the population growth in the western world appears to be stagnating (based on observation of conventions and convention sizes). It would be an interesting exercise to develop a global database of conventions, their inauguration dates and nominal attendance numbers. Does anyone know if this has been attempted (yes... ...endless genealogies, I acknoledge)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2006 9:22:18 GMT -5
to jxr - remember David counting the people of God?
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Post by ex-teenager on Jul 30, 2006 9:24:58 GMT -5
I have recently been browsing The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force by Rodney Stark (you can see it here: www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060677015/sr=8-1/qid=1154266565/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4984314-6000121?ie=UTF8) I find it Interesting to see his estimates on how the Christian population developed over time. If you look at page 7 (table 1.1), you can see a table showing population estimate versus time elapsed. If the F&W sect follows a similar growth curve, at approximately 110 years old, the population would stand at somewhere between 7500 and 40,000. Interpolating the exponential curve by gut-feel would indicate an expected population of, say 10,000. This figure would seem a little low to me. I also find it interesting to observe that the population growth in the western world appears to be stagnating (based on observation of conventions and convention sizes). It would be an interesting exercise to develop a global database of conventions, their inauguration dates and nominal attendance numbers. Does anyone know if this has been attempted (yes... ...endless genealogies, I acknoledge) One major problem with using convention figures is that they can be very inaccurate. Here in Ireland there are 6 conventions, with a combined attendance of maybe 3,500. However it has to be taken into consideration that people may attend up-to three conventions. However quite a few only attend 1 convention. therefore the lowest figure I reckon would be 1,200. Maybe a top figure of 2,000. Just my thoughts.
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Post by how many on Jul 30, 2006 10:11:33 GMT -5
to jxr - remember David counting the people of God? jxr may well remember David counting the people of God, but many of us don't. Help us out. How does counting "the Friends" correlate with counting "the people of God"? Would the number of "the people of God" be greater than, less than, or equal to the number of "the Friends"? (IYO, of course.)
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Post by CherieKropp on Jul 30, 2006 13:23:48 GMT -5
For year, I have kept a spread sheet that lists when the workers first pioneered a country and who the workers were; when the first conv was held. You're welcome to use what I have. Of course, it's not complete. I have added to it thru the years as I ran across additional info. I have done nothing with it, except to post to it occasionally, and use it for my personal use occasionally.
RE: the no. of F&W worldwide: This was discussed on this board not long ago by Daisy (WHERE is Daisy these days???) who wrote that Dan Hilton was into stats when he was alive, and he estimated about 150,000 F&W worldwide.
Several years ago, I was asked for stats for the new edition of the Oxford Encyclopedia of Religions and had come up with 145,000, taking into account the habit of people attending more than one conv.
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Post by Harry Faulds on Jul 30, 2006 14:14:40 GMT -5
Hey Cherie, That's getting close to the magical figure of 144,000 !
Better not let the Jo-wits see this !
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Post by suspicious numbers on Jul 30, 2006 19:41:53 GMT -5
These numbers are largely suspect because they depend on certain numbers that are very hard to estimate - in fact its all guessing - for example how many of the friends attend 1,2,3,4,5 conv per year.
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Post by CherieKropp on Jul 30, 2006 20:51:36 GMT -5
You don't know what Dan Hilton was using to make his estimate...he may have had a worldwide list of F&W.
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Post by you dont either on Jul 30, 2006 21:31:38 GMT -5
well u dont know either cherie
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Post by comparable on Jul 30, 2006 21:35:50 GMT -5
150,000? If so The Truth is alive & well. I don't know the stats for The Hare Krishnas, or The Moonies....but certainly the number of 2x2s, is comparable, if not greater, than some of the other groups.
I have no idea if truth membership is stagnating, growing, or declining. I do know (my mother keeps me apprised) that people still profess in gospel meetings, and that young men & women still go into the work.
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